Choosing pharmacological therapy of chronic pain Review article

Abstract

Chronic pain relates to a significant percentage of the adult population. In Poland, the incidence of various chronic pain syndromes amounts to 27%. The most common reason for complaints are: low back pain, headaches, joint pain, neck pain. International Association for the Study of Pain recommends a multidisciplinary treatment of patients with chronic pain. Pharmacotherapy remains the primary therapeutic method of therapy. Principles of pharmacological treatment of chronic pain are based on a three-step analgesic ladder, which includes the use of non-opioid analgesics initially, followed by a weak opioid in the absence of their effectiveness and replaced by strong opioid at the third level. The choice of treatment depends on the intensity, type and cause of pain. The strengh of analgesics should be adjusted to the intensity of pain. In the treatment of chronic we also use antidepressants, anticonvulsants, NMDA receptor antagonists, certain topical medications.